Tooth-cleaning device



C. C. WAHL Toofr CLEANING DEVICE May 2o, 1930.

Filed Aug. 5, 1928 Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED STATES CARL C. WAHL, OF GLASGOW, MISSOURI TOOTH-CLEANING DEVICE Application filed August 3, 1928.

This invention is a tooth cleaning tool, and one object is to provide a relatively simple, eflicient and practical tool wherein is utilized the rotary principle for cleaning teeth.

Another object is to provide a tool employing rotary suction cups in lieu of brushes for cleaning the teeth.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through v the paste holder or housing of the tool, the

hand wheel being shown in full;

Figure 2 is van under Vside view of the tool;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the journal disks for the drive shaft;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of one of the rubber cleaning cups;

Figure 5 is an enlarged end view of the housing on the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

The invention comprises a tubular paste holding housing 1, longitudinally slotted at 2 and within which are mounted open or cutaway journal disks 3, through which is j ournaled the drive shaft 4, having the bevel gear 5 at the working end and the spur pinion 6 at the opposite end. An end cap 7, having an aperture 8, threadedly engages the end of thehousing 1 over the pinion 6, and a set screw 9 serves to more securely lock this cap in position. From the cap 7 a bracket 10 extends outwardly in parallelism with the axis of the housing 1, and a wheel stud 11 is mounted at the outer end of this bracket. This stud is tapped to engage a set screw 12 upon which is ournaled the hand wheel 13 having the peripheral rack 14 in engagement with the pinion 6. The wheel 13 is provided witha peripheral handle or knob 15 for turning the wheel. An elbow 16 threadedly engages with one arm the housing 1 over the gear 5, while the other arm of the elbow threadedly receives the journal plug17 through which is journaled the tubular stub shaft 18 having the beveled gear 19 at its inner end in mesh with the gear 5 and having its outer end threaded as shown and so adapted to engage Serial No. 297,352.

the rubber cleaning cup 21 which is interiorly threaded to fit onto the said end of the elementl 18. A finger hold 22 is permanently anchored to the housing 1 by means of a ring 23. A companion finger hold 24 is extended from the slidable force plug 25 slidably mounted within the housing 1. A guard strip 26 extends from the plug 25 down over the `slot 2 at the inside face of the housing 1,

thereby preventing paste in the housing from being squeezed out through the said slot.

A passage way for paste is left between the gear 5 and the surrounding walls of the housing 1, so as to permit paste to pass from the housing downV through the element 18 and out into the cup 21. Y Y

In use, the tooth paste is preferably filled into the housing 1 by removing the cap 7 and the force plug 25 and then replacing these elements. By pressing upon the finger holds 22 and 24 and simultaneously rotating the wheel 13, the paste is forced out through the cup 21 against the teeth o f the user. Thus a combined rotary and suction action is had upon the teeth which, combined with the use of the tooth paste, operates tov thoroughly cleanse the teeth.

IVhile I have herein described a certain specific manner and method of constructing and assembling the elements of my invention, it is uderstood that I may vary from the same in minor details, not departing from the spirit of my invention, so as best to construct a prac- Y tical device for thev purpose intended, as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a tool of the kind described, a brush, a tubular support for the brush, said support forming a paste holding housing, the same being longitudinally .slotted along one side, perforated journal disks mounted within the housing in spaced relation at one end of the said slotted portion, a drive shaft journaled centrally through said journal disks and connected with the said brush, a force plug slidsoA cgi

ably mounted Within the housing at the slotted portion thereof, a guard strip extended from a marginal point of the force plug and slidably covering the said slot of the housing, a finger hold permanently mounted upon the housing at the end thereof wherein is mounted the said journal disks, and a companion linger hold having its inner end connected to the said force plug and having its free end extended outwardly through the said slot of the housing.

In testimony whereof I afHX my signature.

CARL C. WAHL. 

